Mike Pence's Munich Speech Did Not Get The Applause He'd Hoped For & It Was So Awkward

Vice President Mike Pence had an awkward time last week in Europe, when he delivered a couple speeches and literally no one clapped for key lines. Both in Poland and Germany, the vice president gave speeches that seemed geared more for Trump country rather than international security conferences. And then when Pence's Warsaw and Munich speeches didn't receive applause, he seemed visually stunned.

The total silence during his Munich speech on Saturday seemed like a gauge on the popularity of President Donald Trump in the room. Pence acknowledged that he was sent by a "great champion of freedom and of a strong national defense" who has worked with Congress to strengthen "America's military might" and the "leadership of the free world."

Then came the climax of the intro, clearly thought to bring applause. "I bring greetings from the 45th President of the United States of America, President Donald Trump," Pence said. Instead of clapping there was total silence. Pence looked down at his notes and almost appeared as though he were biting his lip to manage how awkward the moment was. Five seconds later, he continued on.

This was the second such awkward pause in about as many days. On Thursday, Pence gave another speech in Warsaw, focusing primarily on the Trump administration's efforts to reinstate sanctions on Iran — something European allies have balked at, claiming that the sanctions are working.

Generally, Merkel and Pence's speeches were at odds in content, with Pence calling for increased spending from NATO countries on defense, and Merkel saying if "we're serious about the transatlantic partnership" that attacks like the car national security threat comment are hard to stomach.